Atlantic Salt Festival takes place on Staten Island

Staten Island Advance/Bill LyonsThe Half Moon makes its way through the Upper New York Bay as Atlantic Salt hosts the Board of Directors of the Staten Island Chamber of Comerace captain's reception under the Half Moon at Atlantic Salt on Richmond Terrace. The event was the formal kick-off for the Atlantic Salt Festival today which celebrates the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's legendary voyage on the Hudson River.

Wet weather did little to dampen spirits of a crowd who showed up to see a vital piece of New York City's history docked at Atlantic Salt Inc.'s Maritime Festival today.

By noon, at least 80 festival goers stood on line, holding umbrellas in a breezy drizzle that never let up, while another 40 toured the Half Moon -- a replica of the sailing ship Henry Hudson used 400 years ago to explore the Hudson River.

"It's definitely worth getting a little wet to see a re-creation of New York's history," said Evan Stein, of Great Kills, water dripping from the bill of his wet ball cap. "What's a little bit of rain?"

Co-sponsored by Atlantic Salt Inc. -- the city's supplier of salt used to thaw roadways in the winter -- along with the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and the Noble Maritime Collection, the Maritime Festival carried on despite the inclement weather. The even took place at the newly refurbished dock at 561 Richmond Terrace, New Brighton, next to Gerardi's produce market.

As rain-soaked attendees waited to board the Half Moon, people gathered under the hospitality tent listening to live music and enjoying food and refreshments, while others hit the Waterpod for a look at the city's sculptural art and technology project.

"I'm impressed by the die-hard of Staten Islanders," said Daniel Adams, an urban designer with Atlantic Salt Inc. who helped organize the festival. "It's a great testament for these people wanting to have a good time."

The Half Moon was the main attraction.

Home dock for the 85-foot replica of the ship Hudson sailed in 1609, while exploring the river that would later carry his name, is in Verplanck, N.Y.

Hudson's original ship, dubbed the Halve Maen, was commissioned in March 1609 for the Dutch East India Co., the company that hired the English explorer to search for a passageway between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. During his trip up the river, Hudson claimed the area for the Dutch and opened the land for settlers who followed.

"Even before today, there was a high level of awareness and interest for the boat," said Chip Reynolds, captain of the Half Moon.

Joe and Chris Tessitore of St. George stood dripping wet under umbrellas waiting on line that swelled to nearly 100 to tour the Half Moon shortly before 1 p.m. Why?

"The boat," Tessitore said.

"We were surprised they were still running [the festival]," Mrs. Tessitore added.

Adams said the rain could not drown out the festival's purpose any more than it could drive away crowds, which he predicted would include nearly "7,000 people" by the time the festival closed its gates today at 4 p.m.

"It's just about giving back to the community and getting the community involved on the maritime docks," Adams said.

Added Paul Lamb, project manager for Atlantic Salt Inc.: "We're a bad-weather company. This is what we do."